Creating a Floor Plan With Flow

In a recent post, I revealed a before and after of my client's living room. It is a very large space and my client had the sofa and media stand already, but needed the rest of the furniture to pull the room together. Since her existing sofa is quite long (93 inches long, to be exact), we needed to make it work while also creating flow and making the space functional for everyday use. In design, I truly believe form follows function and you need the space to first work for you and your family. Once a workable layout is established and scale is evenly proportioned, it is then that we can add the pretty design aspects. In a living room space where you gather with friends and family and watch television, the main seating (when possible) should face the TV. I have tried changing our family room's layout where the TV is not parallel... and that lasted one week! After the neck cramps came from turning your head all of the time, I realized there needed to be a way to create a floor plan that was aesthetically pleasing and the most functional. So, that is what I tried to do with this client's living room. We lucked out in this floor plan, because the best spot for the television was also on the fireplace wall. The main sofa was able to face both, allowing the fireplace to look more like the focal point. Here is the floor plan I came up with for this space...

Floor Plan 

The sofa would have fit on the window wall where you currently see the two chairs side by side, but it would have made television viewing difficult. It also would have made that side of the room heavy, with the long sofa pushed off to one side of the room. With the above floor plan, the main seating is front and center, able to enjoy the fireplace as well as the television. The accompanying chairs are sprinkled throughout the space, with a mixture of symmetry and angled seating. Another thing to consider when creating a floor plan is the space between seating. There has to be around 18 inches between arrangements to be able to comfortably move throughout the space. I also need to consider table space in proximity to the seating. Every place you sit should be able to have a nearby spot to rest your drink, book or a pretty vase of flowers. To remind you again, here are some shots of the completed room with its new floor plan...

After

So that's a peek into what I think about when creating a workable floor plan with function and flow. (Say that five times fast!)  :)

Creating a Functional Floor Plan and a Huge Giveaway!

When working with design clients, I love putting the floor plan together and drawing things to scale. It's like pieces of a puzzle that need to find their correct spot. With floor plan puzzles, however, there are always different solutions, rather than only one configuration. Especially with large, open living spaces. Here are some possible layout ideas for that large great room...

The sofa facing the fireplace with occassional chairs, side by side:

Source: southernliving.com via Amber on Pinterest

Sofas facing each other:

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When creating a floor plan, function is a top priority. How will the client use the space? Here are the top things to consider when putting the floor plan together:

1. Where is the television? Make sure the main seating option faces the TV. Always having to turn your head when watching TV will get old, real quick.

Source: 4.bp.blogspot.com via Amber on Pinterest

2. Are there enough side tables for drinks? A great rule of thumb is to have a table within arms reach for every seat. 

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3. Make sure there is great flow between seating spots. You don't want your guests to have to do cartwheeels to get to their seat.

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4. Pull the seating away from the walls and allow the arrangement to be close together. This makes for an intimate conversation area with great flow around your seating. If you are able to pull your sofa away from the wall, make sure to have a console behind the sofa. It is much more interesting than looking at the back of your sofa! (I am all talk and no action on this one, since my floating sofa does not have a console at the moment! But, I digress...)

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How about you... do you have a favorite floor plan arrangement?

Also, today's the start of the amazing Stuff the Stockings Giveaway! 15 bloggers and a bunch of sponsors have teamed up to create 12 amazing prize packages! I am honored Melissa asked me to be one of the sponsors. I will be giving away an accessory design package. Stop by Melissa's blog HERE to enter! The winners will be announced on Cyber Monday, Nov. 26th. Good luck!